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Strategic Plan 2019-2022Last changed: Monday 1 July, 2019

1 Introduction

1.1 Carers’ Resource was established in 1995 responding to a need to support unpaid carers. This need for support, information and advice is even stronger in 2018 than it was in the 1990s, due in part, to advances in medical science that keep those with complex conditions in better health for longer, and to the fact that the population as a whole is living longer. Carers’ Resource works with those people who care for a relative or friend without payment whether that be for a couple of hours per week or for over 50 hours. Carers’ Resource also offer a wider range of services to those ibn need of care and support that may offer additional support to carers .

1.2 The role of carer is often not planned for, and can have a dramatic impact on the life of the carer as well as the person in need of care. Many people do not identify themselves as a carer as they feel that caring is part of being a spouse, parent, relative or friend. A key role for Carers’ Resource is to enable people to identify as a carer and thus access support, hopefully before they reach a crisis point.

1.3 Carers provide help to a relative or friend who could not manage otherwise due to illness, disability, frailty, mental health, drug or alcohol issues. Many carers combine this role with working, running a home, looking after children – or in the case of young carers, growing up. Whilst every caring situation is different, a common theme is that carers put their own needs last, often to the detriment of their own health. Carers’ Resource works hard to raise the profile of unpaid carers and the contribution they make to society.

1.4 Carers’ Resource has grown from a handful of workers to a 150 strong team operating a broad range of services and activities supporting unpaid carers and helping isolated, vulnerable individuals across Bradford, Airedale, Craven and Harrogate.

1.5 Services for carers include information and advice; help with form filling and applications; advocacy; carers’ well being reviews and assessments; training courses; support groups; breaks (including drop in sessions and trips); and mentoring and befriending. The organisation also provides services for people living alone who may be experiencing loneliness or social isolation, and for people leaving hospital who need support to re-establish their home life. Care services are delivered in people’s own homes by a team of professional support workers. Specialist services are provided for young carers, siblings, parent and grandparent carers, and the particular needs of those caring for people with dementia are recognised.

1.6 Carers’ Resource works in partnership with a large number of voluntary and statutory agencies to ensure joined up person centred services that promote empowerment and independent living. The organisation listens to what carers and others in need of care and support say they want and need and responds appropriately.

1.7 Carers’ Resource has been successful in securing many sources of funding in order to offer a professional person centred service to carers. Many of our funding streams are ‘one-off’ or time limited. A key purpose of the strategic plan is to stand outside funding streams and lay out clearly the aims, objectives and direction of the organisation irrespective of funding streams and monitoring requirements. This plan covers a three year period and there will be detailed annual development plans across all key areas of the organisation that will address the headline priorities identified here.

2 Vision

Deliver outstanding support to carers.

3 Mission

‘You care for them, we care for you.’

4 Statement of purpose

4.1 Carers’ Resource is an independent and nationally recognised Yorkshire charity which gives tailored information and support to carers, those in need of care and support and the professionals who work with them.

4.2 Services support people to remain independent and have choice and control to improve their lives or situations.

4.3 a) We aspire to be the service of choice. b) We exist to work with, and for, carers and those in need of care and support

promoting awareness of their needs.

providing information, advice, support and care to them.

supporting other organisations, statutory and independent in their work with them.

5 Organisational values

Value

What does this mean in practice

Caring

Showing that we care for our clients, staff and volunteersThat we care about doing a good jobWe have empathy, clear boundaries, compassionWe value staff and volunteers

Integrity

Working togetherDoing the right thingPaying attention to equality, equity, fairnessEnsuring what we say we do, that we are trustworthy, transparent, reliable, honest and open.

Person centred(All about you)

Listening, understanding and communicatingSupporting carers to make the best informed decisionsBeing flexible and non-judgementalOffering a tailored service to our clients needs

Inclusive

Tailoring service to local need/communities/culturesBeing aware of barriers –supporting ‘all the way through’Working with partnersMaking people feel welcome

Responsive

Deliver on our agreed actionsBeing realisticAdapting to changing circumstancesWell led

6 Operating Responsibly, Ethically and Sustainably

6.1 No aggressive fundraising.

6.2 Information about the people we work with is not given away.

6.3 Diversity is respected and celebrated.

6.4 Committed to reducing negative impact on the environment where possible.

6.5 Work embedded within the communities worked in.

6.6 Confidentiality is fundamental to the way of working.

6.7 Excellent governance arrangements are maintained.

7 Operating guidelines

7.1 The operating model is made up of the following components:

Focussed on the needs of unpaid carers and those in need of care and support so that they can have choice and control to improve their lives or situations.

Person centred approach – working with individuals to identify need and supporting them to meet these needs, which may involve signposting to other services

Carer involvement in the design and delivery of services.

Working in a range of partnership arrangements where this enhances the services provided.

A sustainable organisation with a wide range of revenue sources with surplus ploughed back into additional services for carers.

Focus on staff professionalism and expertise.

7.2 This will be funded by –

Responding to invitations to tender.

Applying to grant making trusts and other funding bodies.

Undertaking general fundraising.

Generating income from paid for services

8 Strategic aims

8.1 To be recognised as the ‘go to’ organisation for carers in our area.

8.2 To deliver services that meet the needs of all carers.

8.3 Respond to unmet needs of those in need of care and support.

8.4 To increase the awareness of the role of unpaid carers in society.

8.5 To be one of the top 100 charities to work for.

8.6 To pioneer innovative models of paying for care.

8.7 To maintain financial stability.

8.8 To explore opportunities for sustainable growth.

8.9 To increase the role of volunteering in the organisation

9 Objectives

9.1 To engage with communities to aid all those caring for a relative or friend to identify as a carer and thus be able to access relevant support through appropriate assessment.

9.2 To offer high quality professional information, advice and support to carers and professionals appropriate to their needs.

9.3 To engage with local communities to offer support that enables carers and those in need of care and support to feel that they are part of their local community.

9.4 To enable carers to get the breaks they need in order to support their ongoing caring role.

9.5 To ensure that all services offered by the organisation are tailored to meet the needs of the individual.

9.6 To maximise the use of technology to offer efficient services.

9.7 To increase the role of volunteering particularly in the Bradford area

10 Key performance indicators

Linked
to:

1. Key Performance Indicators

Baseline

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Aim 8.1

a) %
of carers reached in the geographical area

20%

22%

24%

26%

Aim 8.1 and 8.2

b) % of completely new carers worked with

39%

42%

44%

46%

Aim 8.2

c) %
of carers involved in panels and forums

1.5%

3.5%

5%

7.5%

Aim 8.3

d) % of carers who report a significant
positive impact on their wellbeing

None

80%

83%

86%

Aim 8.2

e) Ratio
of male to female carers supported

Male 27%Female73%

Male >26%

Male >26%

Male >26%

Aim 8.2

e.1) %of carers supported from the BME communities across our whole
geographical area

1.1%

1.5%

1.5%

1.5%

Aim 8.2

e.2) % of Asian/ Asian British carers supported

15.1%

16%

16%

16%

Aim 8.2

e.3) % of mixed ethnicity carers
supported

0.5%

1.5%

1.5%

1.5%

Aim 8.2

e.4) % of carers supported within other ethnic groups

1.2%

1%

1%

1%

Aim 8.2

e.5)% of white carers supported

82.1%

80%

80%

80%

Aim 8.6

f) % increase in the number of care@ self
fundingclients

10%

20%

Aim 8.9

g) No. of new volunteers in the organisation

N/A

36

40

40

Aim 8.3

h) %
of people who return to hospital within 30 days of discharge in Home from Hospital
service

<8%

<8%

<8%

<8%

Aim 8.4

i) To be involved in a minimum of two
campaigns per year

N/A

2>

2>

2>

Aim 8.7
and 8.8

j) Use
reserves to grow/maintain current projects – and to align with the reserve
policy

Spend
50K

Spend
50K

Spend
50K

Spend
50K

2. Minimum Standards

Aim 8.5

k) % satisfied rating customer survey

90%

90%

90%

90%

Aim 8.7

l) %
of contracts that met required targets and are on budget

>95%

>95%

>95%

>95%

Aim 8.5

m) %
of staff who say CR is a good place to work

National
average 65%

>85%

>85%

>85%

Aim 8.7

n)
Maintain a level of good and consistent cash flow

£200K

£200K

£200K

£200K

Aim 8.8

o) Maintain a number of income streams that
have input to overall overhead costs

21

21

21

21

3. Management Information Indicators

Aim 8.5

p) %
of days off sick

2.8%

2.8%

2.8%

2.8%

Aim 8.5

q) %
of staff turnover

5% –
20%

5% –
20%

5% –
20%

5% – 20%

Aim 8.5

r) %
of policies and procedures reviewed and updated annually

N/A

10%

15%

20%

11 Operating context

11.1 The impact of 7 years of austerity has led to a culture change in society where people do not expect help unless they are in crisis, where many people are concerned that they may get something to which they are not really entitled, and where people struggle on. Funding for public services has been reduced year on year, and it is important that organisations such as Carers’ Resource play a role in identifying the solutions and creating new ways of providing much needed support.

11.2 The organisation needs to work closely with statutory and other third sector organisations to create a vision for a future where there is confidence that those in need will get the support they require.

11.3 The organisation has undertaken both a SWOT and a PESTLE analysis. Each analysis was undertaken with a range of self selected staff who engaged in wide ranging discussion in order to identify a balanced picture. The SWOT analysis identifies significant strengths that then flow into a long list of opportunities, all of which will be explored further during the lifetime of this plan. The weaknesses and threats identified are very real and need to be monitored and reviewed regularly

12 Accountability

12.1 The organisation will produce:

an annual impact report

an annual report and audited accounts

reports to funders

12.2 Officers will attend and host monitoring visits.

12.3 The organisation will continue to be assessed for external quality frameworks as appropriate.

12.4 The work of staff and volunteers is supported through regular supervision and annual development reviews.

12.5 We will encourage people to become Members and to be involved in the organisation.

13 Review

This plan will be reviewed annually at the beginning of each calendar year in order to support the annual operational planning cycle.

14 Financial summary

14.1 The organisation will keep sufficient reserves in order to meet its obligations should significant contracts cease to operate, and will comply with the Reserves Policy. Funding will be pooled across the organisation where possible, in order to maximise impact on carers and those in need, and value for money. All major contracts will benefit from added value due to this approach and additional fundraising.

14.2 All funding streams will be accounted for separately so that each funder is assured that the funding stream is being used appropriately.